Author: Kiki E.

I was with my girls and we were going to spend a long weekend celebrating one another {isn’t that what friends are for?}… I thought that the perfect start to our weekend would be the ultimate pampering experience: shopping. on. rodeo. drive.  We arrived amid a sea of tourists and Range Rovers and ventured out into one of the world’s great shopping meccas.  After eating, drinking, shopping, and ending it all on one helluva sugar high… we piled into our car breathless and giggling on the adrenaline rush of our purchases and the lavish day we had experienced.

Lunching {ahem… Brunching}: we ate brunch at Villa Blanca {a full article on this fabulous restaurant will be up tomorrow}, a restaurant right off Rodeo Drive.  The decor, people {all ridiculously beautiful}, and food {would you look at the size of that sandwich?} were only outshone by the stellar white sangria.  Getting tipsy {even in the slightest} on Rodeo Drive can lead to a dangerous {and scintillating} shopping experience.

Shopping {ahem… Splurging}: Rodeo Drive features only the best-of-the-best in regards to all things fashion.  And, one of the reigning fashion kings is Badgley Mischka {don’t know anything about it? Don’t fear… I’ll give you a full rundown in Friday’s post}.  I stopped into this fashion haven and left with a new dress in hand.  Stay tuned for the whole experience.

Indulging {ahem… Entering a Sugar Coma}: I am one crazy cupcake aficionado… and I truly believe that Crumbs is the best.  Their cake isn’t too dense or too sugary {something I find to be the downfall of most cupcake shops}, their flavors are innovative and the cupcakes have a bit of a homespun look and feel {somewhat refreshing in the world of the overly sculpted Faberge type cupcake}.  Though Sprinkles cupcakes might have a line around the block… Crumbs is truly the place to sink your teeth into something worth the thirty minutes {or three hours} of cardio in which you will need to partake the following day.

When my sister and I were first hired to take a gig in Palm Springs {see a story on what exactly we got hired to do here}, I was hesitant… only because I had heard that Palm Springs was a quiet, relaxing place… which can be nice… but not all the time.  After visiting the Morongo Resort… we learned that there was very little about this area that was sleepy.  After a whirlwind weekend of gambling, massages, long days at the pool, long nights at the club, and plenty to do… we were the ones who were sleepy.

The Casino: this place offers everything imaginable… everyone from the novice to the heavy-hitter will find something to keep them occupied.  The slot machines are my personal favorite… but if you love cards, they have plenty of that, too.  This place gets busy on the weekends, so keep an eye on your favorite machine {or table game} and grab your seat as soon as it opens up.  Also, with wine as inexpensive as $4 a pop, it doesn’t hurt to have a glass {or two}.

The Oasis Pool: weekends at the Oasis pool are busy, yet mellow.  Grab a lounge chair in the water for the best sunbathing and people watching.  Mid-afternoon someone will come around with a bag full of complimentary popsicles {a nice… and refreshing… touch}.  For drinks {and for those watching their waistline… wearing swimwear tends to make one more conscious of caloric intake}, try their Skinny Colada… made with soda water instead of the normal {oh-so-filling} coconut cream, this drink is a light {and delicious!} version of the classic.

The Pit Bar: this bar is smack-dab in the center of the casino floor, which allows you to feel as though you are a part of the gambling action even when you are taking a quick break.  The staff is helpful and swift and the drinks are reasonably priced.  This is a great place to go to prepare for a night of gambling or for a night out at Vibe {more on this nightclub below}

Sage Spa: I honestly didn’t have high hopes for my massage at Sage Spa… I figured that a spa associated with a casino may not be top-notch… I was delightfully surprised to find out I was very wrong.  I had one of the best massages ever here… I left feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and didn’t experience any soreness the next day.  Tip: if you wait until the weekday to get your spa treatment they offer a myriad of specials.

Vibe Nightclub: though this nightclub is a bit prone to being crowded, that can be a good thing.  On one of the nights that we went here, we decided we wanted a bit of space… Getting a table wasn’t difficult {it’s worth it if you want some distance from the rowdy crowd}.  On a subsequent evening, we wanted to be a part of the action… and we danced the night away {this is when being a part of the large crowd is a good thing… their energy was contagious}.  This nightclub boasts some great theme nights {that manage to avoid the cheesiness factor} and wonderful DJs.